I might not be a winter person (I’m more of a spring lover), but I do enjoy the cosy and festive vibes of a winter wedding. Planning a winter wedding can be a bit more of a challenge, so here are a few tips for throwing a great winter wedding:

1. Choose your venue with the season in mind. 

Winters in the UK are often cold and grey, with some surprise storms thrown in for good measure. The chances of you wanting to spend most of your wedding day outdoors are slim, so choose a venue that you like the look of on the inside rather than just its surrounding views or grounds, as there’s a good chance you won’t get to see much of them. A venue with plenty of indoor space, that’s cosy and warm, as that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time.

2. Be prepared for bad weather

Think clear umbrellas, a warm but stylish coat, and footwear that will keep your feet dry. If you’re planning on wearing a wedding dress and hoping to spend any time outside, consider one without a train or be prepared to carry it a lot. Also, if your wedding is in the countryside, bring your walking boots or wellies so you’re not too limited with your couple’s portrait locations. I’d also recommend kicking your reception off with a hot drink (especially if you had to transfer between venues). Mulled wine, mulled cider, hot toddies or boozy hot chocolates are all great options to warm your guests up. And don’t forget about including a fire pit and some blankets (if your venue allows it) to warm people up if it’s dry enough to linger outside.

3. Consider starting the day earlier 

3pm ceremonies are great in summer, but unless you want your whole day to take place after sunset, you’ll probably want a 12:30 ceremony. However, if that’s not possible, then think about reshuffling your day so that you can get all your essential photos done in daylight. Have a look at what time sunset is before you create your wedding timeline. Consider doing a first look before the ceremony. In case you don’t know what a first look is, it’s when the couple decides to see each other for the first time before the ceremony. It’s a lovely way of making your outfit reveal a little more private while also getting some natural photos of you together. You can also consider doing your family photos before the ceremony too.

4. Don’t forget about lighting.

Your venue is not going to be filled with natural light for very long, so make sure you add plenty of ambient lighting to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Have a good look at the lighting your venue includes and add lots of candles, festoon/fairy lights or a neon sign to create the vibe you want.

5. Book a photographer who knows how to use flash and can capture all the moments of your day beautifully!

This is good advice for any time of year, actually!

If you’re planning a winter wedding (or one in a different season) and you want a photographer who will capture all the love and joy of your big day, then get in touch! My books are open for 2026/27